Incidents of “uncivil behavior” by members of the public during board of trustee meetings at the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District have led board members to strengthen the wording of an announcement that’s made before the public comment period at meetings.
Board President Marilyn Anderson introduced the revisions at a March meeting by saying that fights among audience members had nearly broken out while trustees were in closed session and that people had been followed to their cars in the parking lot.
Stronger wording in the public comment announcement was recommended by Placentia police officials, according to Assistant Superintendent Renee Gray, who was the district’s acting superintendent for a brief period earlier this year.
The two sections of strengthened wording were supplied by the board attorney, Todd Robbins. Trustee Tricia Quintero said the revisions, adopted on a 5-0 vote, will make people “feel safer.”
Among additions to the announcement is the sentence: “Individuals are reminded that they are expected to abide by the civility policy at all times while on district properties, including, but not limited to, hallways, restrooms and parking lots.”
The civility policy, as explained in the public comment announcement, is designed to promote “mutual respect, civility and orderly conduct among district employees, parents and the public.”
The announcement also states: “This policy is not intended to deprive any person of his/her right to freedom of expression, but only to maintain, to the extent possible and reasonable, a safe, harassment-free environment.”
Added wording also states, “Any individual who, during a school board meeting, disrupts with violence or threatens to disrupt with violence school/office operations or threatens the safety of any individual attending or participating in the board meeting will be reported to the police immediately.”
The stronger police- and attorney-recommended section replaces prior wording that merely stated such individuals “will be directed to leave school or school district property promptly.”
Another new section reads, “Additionally, if there are any disruptions or interference of the board’s ability to conduct its meeting, the disruptive parties will be given one warning. If the disruption continues, you’ll be informed that the board president has found you disruptive in violation of (penal and education code sections).”
Then, “the board president will order you removed from the meeting (under a government code section). If removing one or several disruptive parties does not restore order, the board president will exercise their authority to clear the room in accordance with (the government code section).”
Remaining in place is the speaker time allotment, with a maximum of three minutes, sliding to two minutes for 11 to 15 speakers, 1.5 minutes for 16 to 30 speakers and one minute for 31 or more speakers.
Jim Drummond is a longtime Yorba Linda resident. He gives his opinion on local issues weekly. Send e-mail to jimdrummond@hotmail.com.